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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Fabric Covered Lampshade Tutorial

There are some big changes beginning in my finished basement. The closet is almost done. We are in the process of pricing out an a/c unit for the room and once that is installed we will be making some other changes as well. The a/c is holding us up right now, but not stopping me from going forward with some smaller projects for the room.

I love this aqua lamp I bought from Home Goods a few years ago.

The shade is plain white. I have been wanting to to do something with the shade for a while now.

I recently moved the lamp to this side of the room. The lamp and the fabric coordinate so well. That's when it hit me that I could cover the lampshade in fabric and really take this lamp to another level.

I had a little of my favorite fabric left over - Aviary by Thomas Paul.
Luckily, it only takes a little fabric to completely transform a lampshade.

I started by using fabric glue and ran a thin line of glue along the seam of the shade. I use Fabric-Tac glue. I think it's the best fabric glue out there - it bonds instantly and dries clear. I adhered the fabric to the seam and then cut the fabric on the top and bottom of the lamp shade leaving about an inch on each side. I cut the fabric as I rolled the shade to end up with a curved piece of fabric.

Then I folded the fabric under and again used fabric glue to adhere the fabric and end up with a clean edge. You don't want too much fabric to fold under or else when the lamp is on you will see a big seam. You don't want too little fabric either or it is hard to glue. It's sort of the Goldilocks and the Three Bears of projects.

I alternated from top to bottom until I made it all around the shade.

Once all the way around I cut the remaining fabric leaving approximately an inch. I folded it under and used my fabric glue to make a perfect seam.

Using fabric glue again, I adhered matching ribbon to the bottom...

and then the top.

I love my new lampshade and it was so easy.
Now I can't wait to finish up the basement so that I can put it back in place.
Hope you will try covering a lampshade.
Let me know what you think.

The Fabric is Perfect with the Base or use could have went with a cashmere beige but what I really loved is You made it so Easy and Give Great Instructions...I am going to look some more I have been missing out on allot. Great Job Lisa